Chargers choice Mathews a lot like his idol LT

Bolts get their No. 1 man by trading up from 28th to 12th

Fresno State running back Ryan Mathews (21) runs past a fallen Cincinnati defender during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
— AP

Fresno State running back Ryan Mathews (21) runs past a fallen Cincinnati defender during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
/ AP

Fresno State running back Ryan Mathews, picked by the San Diego Chargers in the first round of the NFL draft.
/ Associated Press

Ryan Mathews

Position: Running back

School: Fresno State

Size: 5-11 1⁄2, 218 pounds

Career rushing: 534 carries, 3,280 yards, 39 TDs

Analysis: No one is predicting Hall of Fame numbers at this point, but Mathews has some of LaDainian Tomlinson’s traits, including an effective jump-cut that he used en route to his NCAA-leading 157.5 yards per game and 6.55-yard average per carry. He might be a better between-the-tackles runner than his predecessor. Perhaps does not possess Tomlinson’s moves in the second level or LT’s receiving ability, but that is not to say Mathews can’t get away from tacklers or catch the ball. Mathews did have some durability issues at Fresno State, missing eight games with various maladies in his three seasons. He had a concussion last year. Mathews will start immediately. That he can share carries with Darren Sproles in the same manner Tomlinson did last season should help the rookie’s transition into the NFL, particularly in pass blocking, which he was not asked to do a lot of at Fresno State.

SECOND NIGHT COULD BE A QUIET ONE FOR CHARGERS

Barring an unforeseen trade, the Chargers won’t make another pick in this NFL draft until near the end of tonight’s third round.

That gold bar they held at No. 40 was spent Thursday night as part of the mega-deal with the Miami Dolphins that allowed the Chargers to move up 16 spots in the first round and get their running back of the future.

“We’re out of it,” General Manager A.J. Smith said. “We know why we’re out of it.”

The top of the second round in this draft has been spoken of for months in football circles as being like an extension of the first round. The talent available over the course of the first 15 picks today is what made the move up 20 spots in the second round (as part of Charlie Whitehurst moving to Seattle last month) such a magnificent deal.

While Smith would not rule out another move up into the second round, it seems likely the Chargers will not be on the clock again until the 59th pick of the draft’s second night.

At that point, they’ll still be looking for a safety.

“I would love for it to be a defensive player,” head coach Norv Turner said. “If it is, that will be great.”

More staff perspectives

The Chargers got the running back they wanted, and Ryan Mathews got the team he wanted.

“It’s really unbelievable,” Mathews, seemingly still in shock, said shortly after the Chargers made him the 12th pick in Thursday night’s NFL draft. “It’s a dream come true.”

Mathews followed the Chargers and wore No. 21 at West High School in Bakersfield and Fresno State in honor of LaDainian Tomlinson, the man he will replace in the Chargers backfield.

“He’s my favorite running back,” Mathews said. “It’s hard. You can’t fill shoes like that. … There is a lot of pressure, especially after LT … I have to go in with my own mindset and play ball. I think I play good under pressure.”